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Small Barrels Magazine

Reviews of Fine Wines, Luxury Hotels and the Best Restaurants on Earth

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Great George (Charlottetown, PEI)

August 25, 2007 By admin Leave a Comment

It seems to me that you could spend a lifetime exploring Canada. “From Sea to Sea”, there are so many breathtaking sights, pristine landscapes, and fascinating cities to experience. And no matter where you go, you’re sure to find that comfortable and friendly Canadian character.

Charlottetown, the lovely, waterfront capital of Canada’s Prince Edward Island, is no exception. A gem of the maritime provinces, Charlottetown offers something for everyone. The wharf is the centerpiece, where you’ll find pleasing views, great seafood eating (especially Flex Mussels – not to be missed!), and unique shopping. You can get to know Charlottetown by foot (or walk off all those seafood dinners!) by following the boardwalk along the shoreline – a pretty stroll passing by parks and greenspaces, and quaint neighborhoods. For history buffs, the road to Canadian Confederation starts here. (You may want to plan on a visit to Founders Hall, a museum/history pavilion and brush up on your confederation facts or stroll by historic landmarks with costumed re-enactors.)



If you rent a car, which we highly recommend, Charlottetown is a great base and starting point for day trips which take you to red sandy beaches, through scenic farmland with gorgeous rolling hills, from lone lighthouse to lighthouse standing guard over the rocky shoreline, and to the recreated dwelling place of the Island’s most famous red-head, Anne of Green Gables. We were thoroughly charmed by the beaches and views at St. Peters, a small town not far from Charlottetown. We also found Cavendish, the tourist-magnet of the Island, to be less busy than we had assumed. Certainly, our visit to Green Gables was relaxing and interesting, and not jam-packed shoulder to shoulder with Anne fans. A fan of the Anne books myself, I was overjoyed at the re-creation of Lovers’ Lane and the Haunted Wood, two short walking trails nestled among the trees on the Green Gables property. And I was truly inspired by the educational film about Lucy Maud Montgomery’s remarkable life and career.

Our enjoyment of Charlottetown was enhanced by the unique character of our hotel, The Great George. Actually several heritage buildings re-developed into Inns, each with their own personality, The Great George will certainly be an important part of your stay. The location of the hotel was quite wonderful, putting us in walking distance of the major attractions of Charlottetown, such as the wharf and its restaurants, the boardwalk, local arts and crafts stores and galleries, the arts and entertainment centre, and also more “generic” shopping destinations – which you just sometimes have to visit!

The Inns at The Great George are linked by The Pavilion Building which, in addition to housing several guestrooms, is the location of a common lobby area. The lobby is furnished like a large, elegant sitting room with plenty of vintage chairs, sofas, and loveseats for lounging with the paper with coffee in the morning, or a drink in the evening. A buffet breakfast is served to guests each morning, with a fine selection of pastries, cereals, fruit, coffee and tea (get up early before the fresh-picked raspberries run out!). Attendants are quick to provide you with small folding tables, and remove dishes quickly, making you feel like a valued guest and surpassing the more usual, “functional” continental breakfast experience. You will also find helpful staff in the Pavilion who generously provide maps, brochures, and great suggestions for island day trips and thing to do closer by.

As for our particular accommodations, we stayed in a spacious suite in the Witter Coombs House. The long room was divided into a generous sitting area, complete with a fireplace, and a sleeping area enhanced by a luxurious Jacuzzi tub. A large bathroom with separate shower completed the room, and high-quality Aveda toiletries were generously provided. The décor was tasteful and comfortable, and housekeeping services was attentive.

The shortcomings of The Great George are few, and mostly due to the same factor that makes it charming: its heritage character. For instance, though air conditioned, the wall-unit was quite noisy and took away slightly from the overall feeling of comfort and relaxation here (though the cool air in the hot August weather was appreciated!). Our particular suite was also adjacent to the parking lot. This proved to be a busy and noisy place, even late into the night with guests coming and going, and visiting with one another on the patio. The parking lot is in itself another drawback for The Great George- space for vehicles is extremely tight in the lot, and street parking is highly restricted. Though this never ultimately resulted in a problem for us, parking was an issue and there was always a lingering feeling of uncertainty about whether or not we would get a space for the night.

These small shortcomings aside, our overall feeling and experience at the Great George can be characterized by elegance, and a sense of welcome. Being in walking distance to the most picturesque sites of the city and the best seafood dining was invaluable. We look forward to a future visit to The Great George, perhaps to one of its other Inns to experience another unique accommodation of this fine establishment.

Overall Experience
We give The Great George 4 Stars – Excellent!

The Great George is located at 58 Great George Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For hotel reservations call 1-800-361-1118, or visit www.thegreatgeorge.com.

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: Canada, Charlottetown, Great George Hotel, PEI, Prince Edward Island

Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas, NV)

February 20, 2007 By admin Leave a Comment

In short, there is nothing like Joël Robuchon At The Mansion. The heavy doors to the dining room separate you completely from the ding-ing, whirling, beeping, flashing slot machines that are otherwise the hallmarks of your Vegas experience. You enter into a space of supreme elegance in mauve, lavender, and black. Plush, velvety fabrics, a crystal chandelier, and an intriguing wall of greenery surround you. The space is small, intimate, and graceful, much like the food–truly little works of art–that you will be served.

Famed French Chef Joël Robuchon has created a menu “degustation” unparalleled by any restaurant in Vegas, and likely by any restaurant in North America. From the decadent 13 course list, to the exquisite delicacy of the ingredients, to the soaring bill you will face when all is said and done, Robuchon is far more than a meal; it is an unforgettable event.

Named simply after the central ingredient, the offerings on the degustation menu for our visit included Le Caviar, La Truffe, Le Boeuf de Kobe, and La Langoustine (Robuchon’s signature). Each course is delicate and presented with the exacting hand of an artist. The dishes and trays chosen for each course reflect the color, texture, and ethnic inspiration of the ingredients. Flowers garnish ambrosia-like concoctions. Sauces are dotted onto your plate with geometric precision. No luxury is spared, as dishes accompanied by gold leaf or marked by more caviar than one can readily consume surely attest.



The food defies description and must be experienced to truly understand why Robuchon is known throughout the world as the “Chef of the Century.” If you do go, stop to savor each bite, as every one is a revelation of complementarity and balance. Robuchon seems to gravitate toward unusual, delicately flavored foamy concoctions. He liberally accompanies dishes with fine truffles. By course number 9 or 10, you wonder how on earth you are going to manage. It is all rather too much, really. For the stomach, for the palate, for the brain. But then again, of course it is. Robuchon, on the surface so alien to Vegas, is in fact right at home–in its appeal to your inner Hedonist.

The wine list is, to be sure, out of this world. But the varied flavors on the tasting menu make picking the perfect wine a challenge, if not impossible. With a desire to match at least most of the courses and to indulge in a wine as fine as the meal, we selected a Burgundy –Cote de Nuit, Dom Rene Engel 2002. Our sommelier was supremely knowledgeable, and as French as they come–an unusual encounter in a city as American and over-the-top as Vegas. And of course, the fleet of servers and attendants is constantly clearing away this, and refilling that, before you even know your needs. The service is so good and attentive it is almost too good, taking perhaps a fraction of intimacy away from the meal.

You are presented with a menu tied in a delicate ribbon as a keepsake. Each guest is also given a huge (no exaggeration here) loaf of brioche as a token of thanks, highly unnecessary, highly decadent–actually, a fitting conclusion.

We certainly recommend dining at Joël Robuchon to those who love food, cooking, wine, and fine service – it is simply an extraordinary experience.

Overall Experience
We give Joël Robuchon Restaurant 5 Stars – Outstanding!
Joël Robuchon Restaurant is located in the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call (702) 891-7925 or visit www.mgmgrand.com.

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: fine dining, French Food, joel robuchon, Las Vegas

The Post Hotel (Lake Louise, AB)

October 20, 2006 By admin Leave a Comment

There is no more breathtaking setting than the dazzling, turquoise mountain lake, Lake Louise. Nestled between a glacier and towering Rocky Mountain peaks, the lake is a pool of serenity that sends any onlooker into deep contemplation about nature and its creation. Even the constant bustle of people milling around at the lake side, having group photographs taken against the scenery, chatting in every language in the world cannot take away from the calm, soul-soothing sight of water, stone and snow.

And so one cannot imagine a place to stay that could surpass the grand Chateau Lake Louise that sits overlooks the lake and stands seemingly level to the mountains. A lakeside room may be the finest accommodations on the planet. But setting “setting” aside, there is another place tucked away in Lake Louise. If it lacks the supreme view, it more than makes up for this shortcoming in terms of service, dining, and other luxuries.

The Post Hotel is located in the town of Lake Louise itself about a five minute drive from the actual lake. This luxury log chalet is set beside a babbling mountain brook and majestic, rich green pines. Strolling over the brook’s bridge, one is sure to see cheerful, billowy clouds of smoke coming from several of the hotel’s chimneys. Several rooms and suites are outfitted with a stone, wood-burning fireplace for chilly mountain mornings all year round, cozy après ski afternoons, or romantic evenings. The fireplace alone is a reason to go (and return) to the Post Hotel. Staff cleans the fireplace and refreshes the wood daily so that you can always keep a glowing fire burning.



And it is only the beginning of the luxuries. The rooms, cozy and attractive with wood-beamed ceilings, are outfitted with fine sheets and down pillows and comforters. You sink into the homey yet tastefully patterned sofas and chairs set in front of the fireplace. Bathrooms are spacious, clean and modern, complete with an air tub and fine Aveda products. Even the towels are lofty and cozy. And this is just the sort of touch that you come to expect at the Post Hotel where the greatest attention is paid to the smallest detail to make you feel transported, pampered, and worry-free.

Our sole complaint about our room paired with a strong recommendation–when staying at the Post, be sure to request a room on the “Preferred Side” as opposed to the “Standard Side”. Not only is the view better, but across the parking lot on the Standard Side is a rail line with trains constantly making their way across the Rockies. Charming in postcards, but not so at four in the morning. I’ll say it again–insist on the Preferred Side when making your booking.

The hotel itself is spacious, with a main building, and several private cottages along the mountain brook. If you need a change of scenery from your room or the unparalleled outdoors, an attractive reading room,the great room of the chalet, is steps away. Comfy reading chairs, board games, and walls lined with books make this room a particularly homey and relaxing way to spend a few hours.

The Temple Mountain Spa is another way to wile away hours at a time while at the Post Hotel. With private treatment rooms and luxury products, this is a must for anyone who loves to be pampered.

And we have saved the best for last–the dining. It is truly spectacular. With one of the largest wine lists in Canada, the Post Hotel excels at every aspect of fine dining. Under the masterful direction of Executive Chef, Swiss-born Hans Sauter, the menu is tantalizing and portions almost too generous. With incredible seven course tasting menus, or items like lobster with morel mushrooms and port reduction, you will leave filled and fulfilled. The décor is inviting–tasteful without being stuffy, reflecting the relaxing yet refined alpine chalet atmosphere. A grand stone fireplace enhances the romantic, mountain mood. The Chateau may have the view, but the Post Hotel has the food.

Consider the Post while at Lake Louise. Yes–visit the lake, take the scenic hikes, book a seating for High Tea at the Chateau, and dine at the Waliser Stube there for a classic cheese fondue–nobody does this better than the chateau. But you will not regret returning to the Post to be pampered, to luxuriate over food and wine, to be served like you are a cherished guest. This is what a holiday is all about.

Overall Experience
We give The Post Hotel 5 Stars- Outstanding!

The Post Hotel is located at 200 Pipestone Road, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, T0L 1E0. For hotel reservations call (403) 522-3989 or Toll Free in North America at 1-800-661-1586. Email [email protected] or visit www.posthotel.com for more details.

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: fine dining, hotel rooms with fireplaces, hotels Lake Louise, Lake Louise luxury accommodations, The Post Hotel

MGM Sky Lofts (Las Vegas, NV)

April 4, 2006 By admin Leave a Comment

The MGM Grand has the distinction of being the most sprawling of the hotels that have transformed the infamous Las Vegas “strip” in recent years. What doesn’t it have – there are luxurious rooms, food court style eateries and fine restaurants, shopping, live lions, a custom built Cirque de Soleil amphitheatre, and of course, a massive maze of a casino. Somehow, amidst all this stimulation and grandeur, the exclusive “Sky Lofts”–an impressive private wing of the hotel–provides quiet and rest.

The service at Skylofts was absolutely exquisite, beginning with our pick up at the airport for a chauffeured ride to the hotel. We were greeted by an extremely personable concierge who like a genuine, old friend knew just what to say and what not to say. He led us to a private elevator and escorted us to our suite, offering a tour of its luxurious amenities.

The stark, ultra modern design of the suite is impressive, to say the least. There are two floors dominated by a floor-to-ceiling window with an incredible view of the strip. Though the room is hardly cozy, its minimalist décor and uncluttered openness is definitely comfortable–it’s a place that didn’t attempt to be “home”, and for a brief vacation, this was perfect. This is pure fantasy, the ultimate jet-setting side of Vegas.



Lights, draperies, televisions, sound system–virtually everything is controlled by a state-of-the-art remote control system. The bathroom is a particularly decadent space. The massive glassed-in steam shower and deep jet-tub promise more aquatic refreshment than should be possible in the heart of the desert. A sound system pipes music throughout the suite with several pre-programmed collections of relaxing new age and world beat tunes.

Naturally, there is the expected suite service of the highest caliber. An attendant carefully unpacked all of our belongings upon our arrival and took a few moments to point out several amenities we may have missed, such as how to operate the espresso/cappuccino maker. The room was kept impeccably clean throughout our stay, and small touches like the perpetually refreshed dish of berries on the dining room table made us feel truly welcomed.

Outside of the room is an entire world of rest and play. We could easily have spent our whole vacation in this single hotel. There is the casino of course, who’s blinking lights and groovy noises are strangely captivating, even to the non-gambler. Casual dining, like the Rainforest Café, is fun for families and those who enjoy heaping plates of food while sitting under a jungle canopy with simulated monsoons and animatronic animal antics–you know the type. Then, by way of utter contrast, for the ultimate in gastronomy and sophistication, there is Joel Robuchon Restaurant, named for the world famous French chef at its helm, offering a menu of culinary art and astronomical prices.

Take in a show–whether it’s Barry Manilow, the comedian du jour, or Ka–Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular show with all the thrilling and physics-defying acrobatics Cirque is famous for.

MGM Sky Lofts is all you could hope for in Vegas–luxurious, spacious, filled with amenities, away from the din but close enough to it when you actually want to embrace that signature Vegas insanity.

Overall Experience
We give the Skylofts at MGM Grand 5 Stars- Outstanding!

The Skylofts at MGM Grand are located at 3799 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For hotel reservations call 1877-646-5638 or contact [email protected] Visit www.mgmgrand.com for more information.

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: Las Vegas hotels, MGM Skylofts, Vegas luxury accommodations

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